Burton teenager named junior showmanship champion at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

View full sizeBurton resident Savannah Livingston, 16, takes a victory lap with 2 1/2 year-old Ally, an American Cocker Spaniel, after winning the junior showmanship title Tuesday, Feb. 12 during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City. Courtesy Photo

BURTON, MI – Savannah Livingston went through a whirlwind of emotions Tuesday night after learning she'd bested 97 other competitors to win the junior showmanship category during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“It was a bunch of different feelings mixed together, obviously being very, very nervous going out there…excitement,” said the 16-year-old Burton resident. She won the competition with Ally, a 2 1/2-year-old, black-and-tan American Cocker Spaniel. “I had a total mind blank when I was pulled out for first place. I forgot how to stack my dog and everything. It was very overwhelming, the whole experience, but enjoyable.”

The victory came with a $6,000 scholarship to the school of her choice, rosette award ribbon, sash and large silver plate commemorating her victory.

Savannah had previously made history in becoming the youngest competitor at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the age of 9 after she began showing dogs as a 4-year-old. She got her start with support from her grandmother, Karen Tower, who shows Tibetan terriers.

"For the kids, that's the Holy Grail to win this," said Tower of the prestigious Westminster competition.

Savannah had placed as high as third in 2010 at the junior showmanship competition – featuring 9- to 18-year-olds -- while showing Dash, a 2-year-old Tibetan terrier. This year was her eighth time in the junior division.

Other competitions have taken Savannah across the country for shows, including Ohio, Tennessee, as well as up and down the East Coast.

“Around here in Michigan, there’s a whole group of us kids,” she said. “We do see each other every weekend around this area. The more I travel down South or out to the East Coast, there is just a whole different bunch of kids. It makes it more competitive to go against a different group of people at different times of the year.”

View full sizeSavannah Livingston, 16, of Burton holds Ally, an American Cocker Spaniel following their victory in the junior showmanship competition Tuesday evening at the Westminster Kennel Dog Show in New York City.Courtesy Photo

In order to qualify for the Westminster show, Savannah had to to win seven junior competitions. She won 14 events leading up to the big show.

The American cocker spaniel Savannah competed with came from professional handler Kala Brown, who Savannah began showing dogs for following a chance encounter at the Detroit Kennel Club’s show two years ago.

“She had kind of come up to me and asked me if I could show another dog in the ring,” Savannah said. “That led to me being her assistant. I travel all over with her and work for her.

“Kala helped me to learn how to trim the cockers, blow-dry them, all the glitzy stuff to get them ready for a show,” said Savannah, while also noting it's important to keep the same demeanor for each competition.

“I try to stay calm and collected throughout my whole time in the ring,” she said. “Always be happy, have a smile on my face and just remember to breath, especially at the Westminster level.

“Everything has to be pristine, everything has to be right,” Savannah said, while noting preparation is important leading up to a competition. “Lots and lots of practice and dedication goes into the whole thing, making sure that everything is perfect before you get there. You don’t want to run into any complications or trouble.”

She took Ally to conformation class a few days ahead of the competition to make sure she was prepared before the big show, along with her 14-year-old sister Megan, who also competes in dog shows.

“At home we are always making sure things are on key and ready for any show that’s upcoming,” Savannah said.

With her victory, Savannah can no longer participate at the junior level during the show, but she hopes to become a judge at the junior level and participate in the Best In Show competition in the future at Westminster.

“I want to look into becoming a professional handler and showing other people’s dogs for a living,” she said. “While I can’t participate at the junior level anymore, it’s nice to go out on top.”

Roberto can be reached by phone at 810-429-3865, email at racosta1@mlive.com, on Facebook at Roberto Acosta Journalist or on Twitter @racostaJourno.